Anyone else studying for CCRN exam?

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  1. I have or would like to get my CCRN certification: (you may select more than one)

    • 851
      Yes
    • 17
      No
    • 365
      If yes: I get some kind of financial reward or incentive to achieve and maintain certification.
    • 331
      If yes: There is no financial reward or incentive at my institution for CCRN certification.
    • 360
      If yes: I have or can have CCRN on my name badge or there is other forms of acknowledgement.
    • 291
      If yes: I find the certification has empowered my practice and would encourage others to pursue it.
    • 13
      If yes: It really hasn't been worth the work and I would discourage others from pursuing it.
    • 5
      If no: I don't have the certification and feel no need or have had negative experiences.
    • 53
      If no: I would like to pursue it, but have had difficulty getting motivated.
    • 12
      I am undecided.

379 members have participated

Is there anyone else out there who is currently studying for the CCRN exam and would like to start a thread as perhaps a study and support group? I have just applied for the exam and have not yet set a date, but about in 3 months is when I will be taking it. I would love to be in communication with others in the same boat! I hope there is at least one other nurse out there! Thanks!

deeDawntee

Specializes in Telemetry, Traveling, PCU, Surgery, ICU.

I too am studying for the CCRN. I recently bought the Pass CCRN and reading through it. Would anyone who has already taken and passed the CCRN be interested in selling their Laura G-V DVD's? Please let me know.

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Hi guys,

I have been "mia" for awhile because I have been taking courses towards my masters. But I have decided to study for the CCRN again. I am doing classes part time and online. Do you think it is realistic to study for the CCRN for the next 6 months about 3-4 hrs per week and still pass the test? I am a slow studier and I am allowing myself enough time since I work full time, wife, mother of 2 (18 months and 9 years old), and a part-time master's student.

Am I kidding myself???:eek: Or is this doable??? :eek:Also are Laura's DVD's worth the price? And should I get the AACN Corriculum book as well?

Thanks for an answer guys...

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

Hey Nursing101!! First of all, please accept my apology for not responding sooner, I was mia myself, on a short self-proclaimed vacation from all things work, nursing or inside related!!

Wow!! You have an incredible life and no doubt you sound like the type who can make it all work!! I am sure that you could easily pass the CCRN on that schedule. I do think Dr Laura's course is very much worth every penny and the AACN core curriculum is not so much... but that is my opinion, there certainly is nothing wrong with the AACN's material, it is just dry and boring... Dr Laura brings a passion and a humor to her teaching which meant the world to me. It depends what you need from your sources. Perhaps you don't need to be inspired and entertained (really, I don't mean to be smug...) You know yourself and what you need for your own learning. Don't forget the Dennison "Pass CCRN", the CD of questions is invaluable. Does your facility reimburse you for materials?

Let us know what you decide! YOU are inspiring, by the way, very impressive!!!

;););)

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Specializes in CCU, cardiac stepdown, respiratory.

G'Day from Australia. Can you please tell me what the CCRN is? I am comming to the US next year for 18 months as a travelling nurse and wonder if it would be benificial. I am currently studying Graduate Certificate in Critical Care, Cardiac Nursing, will be finished in Feb 2009. Thanks.

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Specializes in CTICU.

Hi - I'm an Aussie too! There is tons of info about CCRN in this thread if you read back. It's a certification exam you sit to show you have knowledge and experience in critical care. It's given by AACN: http://www.aacn.org/DM/MainPages/CertificationHome.aspx

There are eligibility criteria involving 1750hrs of experience.

It's definitely well-regarded over here.

On what visa are you going to be travelling/working here?

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Specializes in ICU, OR.

Can someone answer this question? I have a critical care float position. Have the experience of many years, but never felt like studying for CCRN until now. I currently float between critical care and tele areas. Would the AACN count this as critical care bedside hours? Are they strict about how many hours specifically spent in critical care the past year? Would they demand to know how many hours were actually spent in critical care?

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Hi guys,

I was out of town for awhile, after writing everything that I am juggling I felt overwhelmed...lol! I think I will be taking it in January.... I received the dvd's real fast from Dr Laura and I have started to watch some. I think it really helps the material stick. I am doing it little by little but I think I need to set a date.

I will let you guys know of my progress...

Thanks for answering DeeDee

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Specializes in SICU, CCU, MCU, peds, physician's office.

Just checking in to let everyone know that I passed CCRN today! Now it's time to celebrate!

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Specializes in CTICU.

Congratulations, that's awesome!! Well done!!

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Specializes in ER/Critical Care.
just checking in to let everyone know that i passed ccrn today! now it's time to celebrate!

yay!! congrats! :yeah:enjoy your celebrations!!

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Specializes in CCRN-CMC-CSC: CTICU, MICU, SICU, TRAUMA.

HEY EVERYONE!!! I JUST PASSED THE CCRN LAST WEEK!!!! I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT IT!!!! SURE FEELS DIFFERENT HAVING THAT ON MY BADGE!!! I have to say a few things... I'm a better nurse for having gone through the process... I encourage EVERYONE to go for it! The test seems to be designed in such a way as to make anyone have to study out of their comfort zone to pass. What I mean is... there are probably very very few nurses, regardless of experience, that can pass this test without studying... Critical care is so specialized now and the topic areas on the exam are very specific but encompass a broad range of areas... You have to know all systems... so you may recover hearts and know all there is to know about them... but you'll get hit up with neurology and ventriculostomy scenarios and feel like a fish out of water...CABG recovery doesn't set me up for knowing how to position and drain different lung segments... you'll get trauma, endocrine... you've seen the blueprint... so you've got to venture outside of what you know to prepare... which is great, I learned so much... I actually just switched form a CTICU to a MICU/SICU/Trauma unit after putting in a year and a half time on the former...I wanted to expand my scope of practice and be more marketable... but also be a better clinician... I can see my cardiac background as an asset... with a heart patient... but thinking like a cardiac nurse with a multi-system crash or renal patient isn't helping me out... sort of have to critically think through my care a little differently and consciously adjust my assessment... this came as sort of a surprise but is making me a better nurse as well... but my "eyeballing" assessment and priority checklists are different with different system acuity patients... have to completely switch gears... and that's what I mean with the test... you have to be able to toggle between different system expertise and adjust your approach to pass... I studied like crazy on my previously weaker areas... and when I got my score breakdown back I scored 100% in Hematology, Immunology, Endocrine, Renal and Gastrointestinal. I'm proud of that for sure since they are not my areas of practice and I had to snuff up after identifying them as my weak areas. Guess it paid off! Anyway... I wanted to say "I PASSED!!!! I PASSED!!!!":yeah:

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Specializes in CCRN-CMC-CSC: CTICU, MICU, SICU, TRAUMA.
Just checking in to let everyone know that I passed CCRN today! Now it's time to celebrate!

:bow:You rock! Congrats!

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